JEDDAH: Mazen Batterjee, deputy chairman of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), said on Wednesday two-way trade between Saudi Arabia and the United States reached more than SR200 billion in 2008, a 20 percent increase from 2006.
Speaking to Arab News after receiving a delegation of US lawmakers, he said the 15-member delegation was briefed on the chamber’s efforts to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that account for 90 percent of JCCI members, as well as about women’s participation in business.
The delegation held talks with Lama Suleiman, a member of the JCCI board and chairperson of the Jeddah Human Resource Development Center, Saleh Binladin, another board member, and other businesspeople on the prospects of expanding business ties between the two countries. The delegation was also briefed on the activities of the Sayyida Khadeeja bint Khuwailed Center, considered the largest center for businesswomen in Saudi Arabia.
Lama spoke about the successes of Saudi businesswomen. She said there are 64 committees at the chamber, adding that all their heads are elected. There are four women in JCCI’s board of directors and women account for a fifth of its staff.
“The chamber carries out a number of social and humanitarian programs including sponsorship of small projects,” she said. Binladin said the chamber was successful in developing a business culture among those who want to open SMEs. “It supports owners of SMEs by providing facilities and training programs.”
He said efforts are underway to improve infrastructure facilities in Jeddah, adding that it would serve businesses and investors. He called for the linkage of chambers in the Makkah province with new industrial cities including King Abdullah Economic City.
